An important boost arrives for Canadian agriculture: 5 million dollars (about 4.6 million euros) allocated to fruit growers in British Columbia to address the challenges of climate change.
An initiative aimed at protecting the production of cherries, apples, pears and stone fruit in one of Canada’s most productive regions.
The government of British Columbia has allocated 5 million dollars (about 4.6 million euros) for the Tree Fruit Climate Resiliency Fund, a program aimed at making local fruit farms more resilient to the increasingly intense effects of climate change.
The fund has already financed the purchase of 52 wind machines, 10 low-consumption heaters, 2 hail nets, 1 shading and heat protection net, an evaporative cooling system, and a project for a freezing chamber to study bud cold resistance.
The main beneficiaries have been cherry producers, with 49 approved projects, followed by 9 projects for apples and pears and 9 for other stone fruit. The majority of interventions, as many as 64, concern the Okanagan area, while 3 projects have been funded in the Kootenays region.
In the past five years, extreme weather conditions have severely tested the production of peaches, pears, plums, cherries, and apples.
Thanks to this program, managed by MNP, the goal is to strengthen about 360 hectares of orchards, mitigating the effects of extreme weather. The projects are expected to be completed by March 2027.
Sukhpaul Bal, president of the B.C. Cherry Association, emphasized: “We are very pleased with the sector’s response to this program. After five consecutive years of extreme climate events, it was necessary to adopt a proactive approach.”
The project is the result of collaboration between the B.C. Fruit Growers' Association and the B.C. Cherry Association, confirming the institutions’ commitment to supporting the fruit sector.
The initiative represents an important step toward ensuring a more sustainable future for British Columbia’s fruit farming, offering farmers concrete tools to face an increasingly unpredictable climate.
With the prospect of 2027, the sector looks ahead with greater confidence, ready to take on the challenge of resilience.
Source: thegrower.org
08 Jan 2026
A genomic study identified 235 UGT genes in sweet cherry, revealing the key role of PavUGT10 in waterlogging tolerance. The gene boosts plant survival by enhancing antioxidant responses and reducing oxidative stress damage in flooded conditions.
18 Apr 2025
A Romanian study explores the link between sweet cherry cracking and fruit quality factors such as weight, firmness, and pH. Findings provide actionable insights for enhancing cultivar resistance and supporting cherry growers in challenging climates.
10 Jul 2026
Moldova’s late-season sweet cherries are entering peak sales with rising prices, export-grade quality and fresh opportunities across European markets. Weather delays, regional competition and selective demand are shaping a crucial July for growers and traders alike.
10 Jul 2026
The global cherry market in 2026 is shaped by larger crops, lower prices and sharp regional differences. From Italy to China, weather, quality, production, trade strategies and exports are redefining the balance of the international cherry season in key markets worldwide.
